Circuit controlling device



April 17, 1934. c NETTE 1,955,201

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 31. 1932 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Apr. 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE New Jersey Application May 31, 1932, Serial No. 614,555

9 Claim.

This invention relates to circuit controlling devices, and particularly to switches of the snap action type.

An obiect of the invention is to provide switch mechanism adapted to operate in a novel manner making it possible to control a plurality of circuits in response to the energizatlon of a single electro-magnetic device, or other prime operating agency.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel electro-magnetically actuated means for closing a plurality of circuits simultaneously, in combination with mechanical means for accelerating the action, said mechanical means also acting to open such circuits simultaneously upon de-energization of the electro-magnetic actuating means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch mechanism of the foregoing character in which the moving parts will so respond to the electro-magnetic action as to produce firm electrical contact with a minimum consumption of current and a maximum effectiveness on the part of the electro-magnetic field.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the foregoing character which is comparatively small and of light weight, and make it possible to provide a quick clean break of the contacts by the use of a comparatively slight a0 mechanically applied force. In this connection,

a feature of the invention is the use of a plurality of snap action springs inter-connected in such a manner that one of the springs acts to complete the circuit closing action of the contacts by a rapid movement of considerably greater magnitude than that of the actuating plunger, and at the same time acts to place a stress in the second spring and thus render the latter capable of snapping the movable switch elements back to the initial positions upon release of the actuating plunger.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent upon an examination of the following specification when read with reference to 5 the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is merely illustrative and is not designed to indicate the limits of the invention. reference being had for this and herein shown by way of suggestion of'the preferred embodiment.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a device embodying the invention and showing the parts in the open circuit position;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 1, looking into the switch end of the device;

Fig. 3 is a transverse view taken along the line 33 of Fig. l, with the parts in closed-circuit position;

Fig. 4 is a similar transverse view but with certain parts shown in an intermediate position; and

Fig. 5 is a similar transverse view with the parts shown in open-circuit position, as in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown embodided in a unitary casing constituted by a cylindrical part 6 and a plate 7 threaded or otherwise secured to one end of the cylindrical part as indicated at 8, and constituting a support for the coil 9 which surrounds a centrally disposed hollow sleeve 11 constituting a guide for a movable core member 12 which is adapted to be drawn toward a fixed core 13 on passage of the current'through the coil 9, the parts 9, 12 and 13 thus constituting the major portions of the solenoid which, in the preferred embodiment, is the prime switch actuating element. The hollow sleeve 11 is shown as an integral extension of the plate 7. but it is to be understood that it may be a separate guide sleeve when the integral construction is not desired. An insulating wrapper of any suitable form and material is indicated at 16 as completely enclosing the winding 9 and insulating it from the members 7, 11 and 13, the latter member being shown as having a downwardly extending annular part 17 disposed between the coil 9 and the inner wall of the casing 6, and thus forming with the base 'I of the casing and the fixed movable cores 13 and .12, respectively, an eillcient magnetic circuit having only a single air gap (that which obtains between the parts 12 and 13) when the coil is de-energized, and no air gap whatever when the coil is enersized. In order to increase the effectiveness of the magnetic circuit by reducing the length of the air gap without reducing the length of movement obtained, the central portion 13 preferably has a conical counter-bore as indicated at 19 and the movable core 12 is correspondingly tapered as indicated at 20.

The switch elements of the mechanism take the form of a plurality of terminals preferably numbering twice the number of circuits desired to be controlled, and herein shown in the form of contacts 22 mounted on or integral with the ends of terminal screws 23 extending through a disc 2% of insulating material at points equidistant from the center of the disc and also preferably equidistant lrom each other, the disc 24 being secured by suitable means 26 to the casing 6. Adapted to make contact with the stationary members 22 are a corresponding plurality of movable switch elements, herein shown as fingers 28 extending outwardly at proper equally spaced intervals from the periphery of a disc 29 (also of insulating material) disposed in coaxial alignment with and in abutting relation to the disc 24, and supported for oscillatory movement relative to said disc 2i by suitable means, herein shown as a pin 31 having a head 32 to hold the disc 29 in place, the pin in turn being held to the upper surface of the disc 24 by suitable means such as a washer 34 and pin 96. Normally (that is, with the solenoid tie-energized) the fingers 28 are held spaced apart from the associated contacts 22 as indi= cated in 5, but are moved from such positions to the positions indicated in Fig. 3 upon energization of the solenoid, and with the aid of the snap action mechanism now to be described.

The means for multiplyng both the length and the speed of the switch closing and switch opening movements preferably takes the form of a coir cl"- tensioning springs 3'? and 38. the former being anchored to the casing 6 at one end as indicated at 39, and to a yoke member ll at the other end; said yoke having angle pieces 32 and i3 at either end thereof, serving for its attachment to the oscillating disc 29 in such a position with relation to the spring 37 and the contacts 28 and 22 that when the said contacts are separated, as in 5, the yoke ll is on one side of a plane through the axis of the pin 31 and the el'dchor pin 39, and in the closed position of the contacts, as in Fig. 3, is on the opposite side or" said plane; the movement from one position to the other being efiected by a rapid snap action as spring 3'? is stressed excessively by the force exerted thereon at its central point, first in one direction, and then in the other.

as shown, the oppositely directed forces are coined to act on the spring 3? by reason or its through an aperture provided near one end oi a linlr 44. which is pivotally connected at its other end, as indicated at is, to one arm of a bell crank 47, the other arm of the bell crank being disposed in the path of movement of a rod or plunger 48 connected to the movable core 12 of the solenoid as indicated at 49, and slidable through the centrally disposed bore 51 of the core is upon energization of the winding 9. crank 47 is pivotally mounted, as indi-= chad .52, to a bracket 53 which is in turn to the inner wall of the casing 6 by suitable means as indicated at 54. The spring 38 above to is secured at one end to the casing 6 by means of an anchor pin 55 which is preferably disposed at a point 96 from the anchor pin 29,

and with the link 44; the other end of the spring secured to said link as indicated foregoing it will be apparent upon energization of the solenoid, the resulting movenent of the core l2 toward the fixed part l3 turn the bell crank l7 about its pivot 52 in a direction to cause the link l to draw the center and lower half of the spring 32, and spring 38 eeaaor from the position indicated in Fig. 5 to the position indicated in Fig. 3; whereupon the stress thus set up in the spring 37 is sufilcient to snap the yoke 41, disc 29, fingers 28 and remainder of spring 37 into the positions indicated in Fig. 3. In the latter position the contacts 22 and 28 are closed and the spring 3'7 is relieved of the ex cessive stress placed therein during movement of the link 44. At the same time, the spring 38 has been subjected to a greater stress by reason of its extension to the degree indicated in Fig. 3, so that immediately upon de-energization of the coil 9, the said spring 38 becomes effective to draw the link 44 and hence the center of the spring 37 from the position indicated in Fig. 3 to the position indicated in Fig. l, whereupon the stress thus set up in thespring 37 is effective to snap the yoke ell and hence the fingers 28 away from the positions indicated in Figs. 3 and i and back to the position indicated in Fig. 5, its return being limited by a suitable stop 45. Certain of the leads are indicated in Fig. 2, but it is to be understood that any other suitable means may be employed for conducting current to and from the terminals 23, and to and from the winding of the coil 9.

Instead of connecting successive terminals in a single circuit by reason of having the successive fingers 28 formed as integral parts oi strips moulded into the oscillating disc 29 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, the fingers 28 and the terminals 22 engaged thereby may be electrically distinct from each other. Moreover, if desired, the plate of the casing may be centrally apertured to permit passage therethrough of a manually operable rod which may be connected with the plunger as for manual actuation of the switch independently of the coil 9.

Moreover, although the embodiment herein shown is believed to possess considerable merit from the standpoint of simplicity and ease of as= sembly and the adjustment of parts, it is to be understood that other changes construction and arrangement of parts may be made without avoiding the scope of certain of the appended claims. Accordingly, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

I claim:

i. In a device or" the class described, a station ary contact element, a movable contact element, a member carrying said movable contact element, a fixed support cormnon to said stationary contact element and said carrying member, a spring constantly under tension and anchored to said support at one end, means connecting the other enc' of said spring to said member, a second spring also held against movement at one end, sale second spring being constantly under tension ant normally disposed at an angle to said first spring, means for rotating said member abou an axis normal to the comnioii plane of saic springs, and in a plane substantially parall l t1 said common plane, and means responsive to sail movement for increasing the tension in both sail springs, said last named means including a lira to which the free end of said second spring i connected, said linlr constituting of said no toting means. i

2. Li a device of the class described, a station ary contact element, a movable contact element,

plate carrying said movable contact ele merit, a common support for said stationary cor tact element and plate, a spring constantly nndr tension and anchored to said c support one end. means for connectin said spring to said member, a second spring also held against movement at one end, said second spring being constantly under tension and normally disposed at an angle to said first named spring, means for rotating said member about an axis normal to the common plane of said springs, and mm plane substantially parallel to said common plane, and means responsive to said movement for first increasing the tension in both said springs, said last named means including a link to which the free end oi. said second spring is connected, said link constituting part of said rotating means, and said second spring being thereafter effective through the instrumentality of said link to return said first named spring and said movable contact element to their initial positions.

3. In a device of the class described, a stationary contact element, a movable contact element, a plate carrying said movable contact element, a common support for said stationary contact element and plate, a spring constantly under tension and anchored to said common support at one end, means for connecting the other end of said spring to said plate, a second spring also held against movement at one end, said second spring being constantly under tension and normally disposed at an angle to said first named spring, means for rotating said plate about an axis normal to the common plane of said springs, and in a plane substantially parallel to said common plane, and a link mechanism operatively engageing both said springs and responsive to said movement for first increasing the tension in both said springs, said first named spring being operative when the tension reaches a maximum to complete the closure of the gap between said contact elements, and said second spring being effective through the instrumentality of said link to reopen the contact elements upon release oi said link mechanism.

4. In a device of the class described, a stationary contact element, a movable contact element,

a plate carrying said movable contact element, a common support for said stationary contact element and plate, a spring constantly under ten sion and anchored to said common support at one end, means connecting the other end of said spring to said plate, a second spring also held against movement at one end, said second spring being constantly under tension and normally disposed at an angle to said first named spring, electro-magnetic means for rotating said plate about an axis normal to the common plane of said springs, and in a plane substantially parallel to said common plane, and means responsive to said movement for increasing the tension in both said springs, said last named means including a link to which the free end of said second spring is connected, said link constituting part of said rotating means.

5. In a device of the class described, a stationary switch element, a movable switch element, a plate carrying said movable switch element, a common support for said stationary switch element and plate, a spring constantly under tension and anchored to said common support at one end, means connecting the other end of said spring to said plate, a second spring also held against movement at one end, said second spring being constantly under tension and normally disposed at an angle to said first named spring, electro-magnetic means for rotating said plate about an axis normal to the common plane 01' said springs, and in a plane substantially parallel to said common plane, said electro-magnetic means including a solenoid and a plunger reciprocable therein, and a motion multiplying connection between said plunger and switch carrying plate, said connection including a part engaging the tree end of said second spring.

6. In a device of the class described, a stationary switch element, a movable switch element, a plate carrying said movable switch element, a common support for said stationary switch element and plate, a spring constantly under tension and anchored to said common support at one end, means connecting the other end of said spring to said plate, a second spring, also held against movement at one end, said spring being constantly under tension and normally disposed at an angle to said first named spring, electromagnetic means for rotating said plate about an axis normal to the common plane of said springs, and in a plane substantially parallel to said common plane, and means responsive to said movement for increasing the tension in both said springs, said last named means including a link to which the free end of said second spring is connected, said link constituting part of said rotating means.

7. In a. device of the class described, a stationary switch element, a movable switch element, a plate carrying said movable switch element, a common support for said stationary switch element and plate, a spring constantly under tension and anchored to said common support at one end, means connecting the other end of said spring to said plate, a second spring also being held against movement at one end, said spring being constantly under tension and normally disposed at an angle to said first named spring, electro-magnetic means for rotating said plate about an axis normal to the common plane of said springs, and in a plane substantially parallel to said common plane, said electromagnetic means including a solenoid and a plunger reciprocable therein, and a motion multiplying connection between said plunger and switch carrying plate, said connection including a part engaging the free end of said second spring.

8. In a device of the class described, a stationary switch element, a movable switch element, a plate carrying said movable switch element, a common support for said stationary switch element and plate, a snap action mechanism having one end thereof anchored to said common support and the opposite end operatively connected to said plate, a second switch controlling member constantly under tension and normally disposed at an angle to said snap action mechanism and with its axis parallel to the plane of said plate, electro-magnetic means for'rotating said plate about an'axis normal to both said plane and first named axis, and in a direction carrying said movable switch element toward said first named switch element, and means responsive to 'said movement for increasing the tension in said switch controlling member, said last named means including a link to which the free end of said second spring is connected, said link constituting part of said rotating means.

9. In a device of the class described, a stationary switch element, a movable switch element, a plate carrying said movable switch element, a common support for said stationary switch element and plate, a snap action mechanism having one end thereof anchored to said common support and the opposite end operatively conr acted to said plate, a second switch controlling member said electro-magnetic means including a solenoid and a plunger reciprocable therein, and a mo tion multiplying connection between said plunger and switch carrying plate, said connection including a part engaging the free end of said second spring.

HENRY C. NETTE. 

